PAISLEY is set for a right royal snub – with the Queen giving the town a miss during her Diamond Jubilee celebrations and heading to Greenock instead.

There had been hopes that, as part of a programme of events to mark 60 years on the throne, Her Majesty would make her first visit to Paisley for a quarter of a century.

However, the Paisley Daily Express understands that the town will miss out, with Buckingham Palace planning for the monarch to visit Inverclyde instead as part of this summer’s Diamond Jubilee tour.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are also set to visit Glasgow, Edinburgh, Perth and West Dunbartonshire – with Buddies having to travel elsewhere if they want to see the Royal couple with their own eyes.

Last night, one disappointed Paisley trader told how she had hoped the Queen would come to town this summer...bringing with her a welcome boost for local businesses.

The shopkeeper, who asked not to be named, told the Express: “I knew the Queen was embarking on a tour of the UK to mark her Diamond Jubilee and I was keeping my fingers crossed that Paisley would be on her itinery because it would have given businesses like mine some much-needed income.

“The town would be mobbed if the Queen paid a visit, so it’ll be a big disappointment if that’s not going to happen.

“I’m old enough to remember her last visit to Paisley, which was way back in 1988, and the town was heaving that day.

“Her Majesty hasn’t been here for ages but it looks like Paisley’s loss will be Greenock’s gain.”

The Queen’s representative for the historic county of Renfrewshire, which also includes Inverclyde, is Guy Clark.

And Mr Clark, who is the Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire, has confirmed a request has been made to Buckingham Palace that Her Majesty visits Inverclyde during her Diamond Jubilee tour so that she can view the regeneration of the old shipyards there.

However, he added: “That bid has yet to be fully agreed to.”

Royal protection officers are now set to visit Greenock next month to ensure the town’s security measures are up to scratch before the visit is given the final seal of approval.

Queen Elizabeth’s six-decade spell on the throne is the second-longest for a British monarch – with only Queen Victoria enjoying a longer reign.

She last visited Paisley almost a quarter of a century ago as part of the 500th anniversary of the town’s status as a Burgh.

On that occasion, Her Majesty was welcomed by thousands of Buddies who lined the streets.

A special service took place in Paisley Abbey and the Queen also visited Paisley Museum, where she enjoyed looking at a display in the historic shawl gallery.

As a memento of her visit, she was presented with a handcrafted silver brooch and a Paisley shawl.

While she was in town, the Queen also planted a rose in Dunn Square.

In an official statement issued by the Queen to mark this year’s Diamond Jubilee, she said: “I hope that this will be a time to give thanks for the great advances that have been made since 1952 and to look forward to the future with clear head and warm heart as we join together in our celebrations.”